The Fiscal Administration Department of the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at the University of Minnesota invites applications for the Grants Assistant. This position assists with pre-award and post-award grant processes for the College of Liberal Arts. Responsibilities include preparing sponsored project proposals through the Universityâ™s Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA) specializing in fellowships and private foundation awards, and monitoring the submission of proposals following the sponsor and University processes.

In addition, the Grants Assistance supports communication and some post-award management activities including award setup, review of NOGA, and communication with accountants and departments about awards. This position reports to the Grants Management Coordinator.

Responsibilities
75%:  Pre-Award, Proposal Preparation and Submission
Review sponsoring agency-specific guidance, policies, procedures, and instructions to ensure understanding of the sponsor's eligibility criteria, required documents, and deadline.
Develop budgets for various types of proposals with an emphasis on fellowships and private foundations ensuring adherence to sponsor and University research/policies/procedure including personnel categories, effort, cost sharing, charging direct and indirect costs, F&A calculation, and justifications; working knowledge of pertinent federal regulations (including allowability, allocability and reasonableness of costs). 
Use the University MN-GEMS tools to prepare proposals. Understand budget categories related to the Universityâ™s chart of accounts and how to enter budgets in MN-GEMS.
Monitor the routing and review of proposals in the MN-GEMS system and track them as they move through SPA; respond to  SPA and sponsors as needed.
Serve as a backup to the  Grants Management Coordinator as needed, especially when out of office.

20%: Coordination and Communications
Work closely with CLA's Financial Service Teams on processes related to post-award grant administration. 
Work closely with the Grants Management Coordinator on grant monitoring with a focus on pending fellowships. 
Alert the Grants Management Coordinator of any questions or concerns that arise during post-award. 
Communicate the internal process with PIs and connect them with their accounting team. 

5%: Post-Award/Compliance / Accountability
Respond to SPA's request for revised documents needed by sponsors to set up awards. Ensure timely submission of required documents. 
Develop revised budgets/obtain revised budgets from sub-recipients if needed. Understand cost share implications and F&A impacts.

Required Qualifications:
BA/BS plus at least two years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least six years.
Two years of experience working with grant processing and sponsored project management, preferably in a higher education setting
Experience with grant management software (i.e. MN-GEMS), development of budgets, sponsored project rules and regulations, and policy compliance.
Good project and time management skills.
Strong ability to adhere to strict deadlines
Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:
One or more years of experience assisting faculty/individuals in navigating grant processes.
Proven ability to work successfully with a variety of individuals with varying levels of grants management understanding
Experience creating financial reports using Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
Experience using Google Workspace applications (Gmail, Google docs, sheets, etc.)
Strong ability to interpret, communicate, and apply related policies and procedures
Experience working with a variety of granting agencies from several disciplines.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

Connections working at University of Minnesota Twin Cities